Volume 2, Issue 16 – November 05, 2003

“A Newsletter Published by Bike Pittsburgh to establish Pittsburgh as a city that is increasingly safe, accessible, and friendly to bicycle transportation.”

In This Issue:

* Advocacy Alert! Clear Channel Communications’ DJs Endanger Cyclists
* Bike Safely: Riding At Night
* Upcoming Events
* Haunted Bike Ride Thank You’s
* Pitt Stops

ADVOCACY ALERT! CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS’ DJS ENDANGER CYCLISTS

Recently, Clear Channel Communications’ (www.clearchannel.com) DJs have been encouraging motorists to harrass and potentially harm cyclists. These incidents have taken place in three different areas of the country (Cleveland, Houston, and Raleigh). This incredibly dangerous and irresponsible behavior was recently reported by The Associated Press (www.ap.org) – the article can be found online at:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031101/ap_on_en_ot/radio_stations_bicyclists

Please take the time and read the article in the link above. Bike Pittsburgh encourages you to contact Clear Channel before the end of this week via email and express your opinion. Clear Channel owns over 1500 radio stations nationwide, including some right here in Pittsburgh. Help us put a stop to this unfortunate and seriously irresponsible behavior by Clear Channel DJs. Email addresses for those at Clear Channel who should hear your thoughts are below.

John Hogan – johnhogan@clearchannel.com
Omar Thompson – omarthompson@clearchannel.com
Kisa Dollinger – lisadollinger@clearchannel.com

BIKE SAFELY: RIDING AT NIGHT

This is the fourth installment in a series about riding safely in the Pittsburgh Region. You can find this installment and any previous installments in the “Safety & Awareness” area of the Bike Pittsburgh website.

In the spirit of the immortal words uttered in “The Graduate” to a young Dustin Hoffman, “I’ve got one word for you … lights”. The more that you can make yourself visible to other drivers, the greater the chance that you will be seen. This can be achieved several ways:

* Use a front light – these items range from less than $20 to over $200. The most basic type of light is powered by batteries, mounts on your handle bars, and contains either a traditional light bulb or several white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Lights that contain LEDs tend run significantly longer on batteries, but may be a little bit more expensive. You can also purchase lights that are powered by an external rechargeable battery. If you regularly cycle at night, it is well worth the investment in this type of light, as they are far brighter than traditional lights.

* Use a rear blinky – these lights tend to fall in the $10 – $30 range, and often feature the ability to flash, blink, or strobe. Blinkies that will flash, etc. are preferrable, as this type of light will grab a driver’s attention quickly. Look for a blinky that is bright and can be seen from multiple angles. For example, Trek manufactures a rear light called a “Disco Inferno” that has about 270 degrees of visibilty, is extremely bright, blinks, and strobes, for about $30.

* Wear reflective clothing – you can obtain clothing with reflective piping or stripes at any reputable bike store that carries accessories. Typical reflective clothing may include a jacket with reflective stripes, pants with reflective piping, or ankle straps (to keep your pant leg from getting caught in the chain) make of a reflective material. There are even ankle straps that light up and blink like rear blinkies!

Note that one of the most dangerous times of the day is just around dusk. Put your lights on before it gets dark! Drivers will often “see the light” before they will see you.

Ride Safe. Be Seen.

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 15th – Urban Bike Tours: Riverfront Trails

This event is sponsored by The Western Pennslyvania Field Institute (www.wpfi.org). Pittsburgh has bike trails along all three rivers – really! – but it takes a knowledgeable guide to connect them smoothly. You can expect a great tour of the city and its riverfronts with plenty of interesting stops along the way. Dress warmly and bring a daypack water and snacks.

To register for this event call WPFI at: (412) 255-0564 or email: (signup@wpfi.org).

Event Day: Saturday, November 15th
Event Location: Golden Triangle Bicycle Rentals (www.bikepittsburgh.com)
Event Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: $10 for WPFI Members, $12 all others

November 16th – WPA Cross Cup

This event is sponsored by Slippery Rock University (www.sru.edu) and North Hills Velo (www.northhillsvelo.com). Complete event information, registration, and details can be found at the following website:

http://www.bikereg.com/races/register.asp?EventID=1129

Event Day: Sunday, November 16th

November 30th – 2003 Speedgoat Crossing Race

This event is sponsored by Speedgoat Bicycles (www.speedgoat.com). We’re back at the best cyclocross venue, Seton Hill College. Last year, the student center had a big screen TV, big soft couches, and all those amenities that make this a good time for the whole family. Organizer Jeff Guy always does a great job, and feel free to contact Speedgoat for more information: (tech@speedgoat.com). Racing starts at 10:00am.

Tempurature last year: 22-degrees. Showers? Yes. Cash prizes: Yes! Cash prizes and assorted goodies depending on field depth/number of racers, etc!

Event Day: Sunday, November 30th
Event Location: Seton Hill College, Greensburg, PA 15601
Event Time: Registration opens at 8:00am, Racing begins at 10:00am

December 7th – 14th Annual Punk Bike Enduro

An 8 to 10 stage race for fun and points! Most points wins in the overall. Women’s and Junior categories – no fees. No NORBA. No rules. Eats and party after it’s over – beer will be provided – you bring the eats (or go hungry). Kitchen available. Course Volunteers needed. Dress for cold, wet weather. Helmet STRONGLY recommended, as there is no insurance offered at this event.

For more information, call: (412) 767-9910.

On Sunday, November 30th and Saturday, December 6th, there will be maintenance pre-rides.

Event Day: Sunday, December 7th
Event Location: Dorseyville Fire Hall
Event Time: 11:00am

HAUNTED BIKE RIDE THANK YOU’S

Our First Annual Haunted Bike Ride was a huge success! We wish to thank several people and organizations for contributing their time, expertise, and services to us:

Sara Walfoort – for finding and preparing the local ghost stories, as well as mapping our route.

The Western Pennsylvania Field Institute – for handling registration, donation of prizes, and helping us to get the word out about the event.

Pittsburgh Pro Bicycles – for rear blinkies and donation of prizes (some really nice ones, too!).

Scott Bricker, Brian Stagno, Jessica McPherson, Lou Fineberg – for support before and during the event.

PITT STOPS

This section of The Bike Pittsburgh Leader is dedicated to identifying local establishments that have made a committment to cyclists.

This Issue’s Pitt Stop is: Pittsburgh Off Road Cyclists (P.O.R.C.) – The Pittsburgh Off Road Cyclists (www.porcmtbclub.org) is a local Mountain Bike Club that has been taking an increasing role in trail advocacy and maintenance. P.O.R.C. members have been active in trail preservation, as well as advocating for safe and responsible trail riding. Check out the website for more information and to get locations and times for upcoming Mountain Bike rides and events.

Post the miles that you ride on the Bike Pittsburgh website in the Community & Classifieds area! Just send us your monthly mileage, and if you want your name to be available as an email link to: miles@bike-pgh.org

Bike Pittsburgh is Western Pennsylvania’s only cycling advocacy, awareness, and safety organization. We rely on your support for many of our activies and initiatives. You can help us to continually transform the Pittsburgh Region into a better place to cycle by becoming a Full Member starting at $25 per year ($15 for Students). With your tax-deductible Membership Donation you will receive a Membership Card good for discounts with participating organizations that share Bike Pittsburgh’s vision, priority invitations and/or discounts to special Bike Pittsburgh-sponsored events, and the satisfaction that you really are helping to make a difference for all of us. For complete details, go to the Bike Pittsburgh website and click on the Become A Member! section.

“The Bike Pittsburgh Leader” is an electronic newsletter published about every three weeks. Previous issues of “The Bike Pittsburgh Leader” can be found on the Bike Pittsburgh website in the section called “The Leader”. Bike Pittsburgh, Inc. does not rent, sell, or make available any personal information, including email addresses, that you may send to Bike Pittsburgh. If you would like to be removed from the distribution list, simply email: remove@bike-pgh.org and request to be removed.